Newbie Julia here

[Julia C]

Hello everyone! I just found your site - My husband was diagnosed with HCV in 1996- he's a FDNY paramedic and highly symptomatic, gone to Chronic and refuses any medication. He's been doing pretty well but his bone loss is getting worse, he's losing his teeth and he's only 48! Any suggestions on how to prevent that would be greatly appreciated! He eats well, of course no alcohol but periodic cigars (I know, I know!) I just wanted to say hey and thanks, I need the support!! Best
Julia

[oldhippiechick67]

Never mind, I read your posts down the list and got my ? answered.  Hope and pray things go okay for you!  You are very brave and you have a great attitude!  Hugs to you, my friend!  OHC

[oldhippiechick67]

Dallas Star - Bout time you popped in!  How are you doing?  What about the leukemia ??
Befudd & others - really cool, cute icons/animations you learned how to add!  I'm jealous...keep it up if you can, very entertaining.  

I have a "OMG" story to tell ya...just a little one.  I went to reorder my mail order meds, the Neupogen, the Procrit & my riba, to find the co-pay has doubled...which is somewhat painful, but still affordable.  The tb syringes my doc ordered to go with the procrit however are not on their formulary/preferred drug list...whatever!  So they wanted to charge me $60 for 4 or 5 syringes!! I almost told um where to shove those syringes!  But no, I didnt.  I thought it was a computer glich, so I called and the lady told me "No, that's how much they are"  OH for **** sakes.  I am freaked out that I was charged 30 bucks for the 4 or 5 syringes  last month!!  They also sent me my daughters meds which I called and cancelled on 12-29 (after realizing she cant tolerate them while using the free samples), as they werent spose to be sent out till the 12th of Jan, and they sent um any way (on the 2nd and said I had to pay the copay, ($30) even though the seal on the bottle isnt broken etc.  Pretty much stinks eh?  Well thats my gripe for the day.  OHC

[whybabe]

I agree, get a new doc.  Meds do work!  I cleared the virus and life is good post treatment.  Yes, Irishmen are stuborn, but his life choices affect you (& your kids??)too.  Tell him he owes it to you to get and stay well.  The meds now days work alot better with less side effects.  God bless and good luck.
Deb

[lackalustre]

i have read in the book "The Hepatitis C survivors Guide" written by a dr.  that hepc  does cause brittle bones.  the advice above is good to take for anyone like getting enough calcium, weight bearing exercises, etc...
   i plan to have a bone density test after tx. now. those of us women over 50 should do that anyway.  also  i had some real iffy teeth. and in 1998 after an acute flare up of the hepc, (was very sick)  i had several molars abcess at the same time.  not fun.

[GALLIUM]

you might also have his parathyroid checked, i have a hyperactive parathyroid and it causes calcium loss (ended up with false teeth because of it, teeth just kept shattering like crystal) my oncologist checked and when my plt's count was at 90 told me to get them pulled and made arangements for ffp's if needed after the surgery. i take a synthetic vitamine d for the thyroid problem and it is maintaing normal lvl's now but most of the damage has been done to my bones.

[ringading]

just occured to me that that study you quoted was dealing with an average age group of 54 years old....it is then not so surprising  that there may be some degeneration or bone loss beginning to occur.. as we age...now if this SAME study was done with a group of average age 25-or 30 years old...it may  give it a bit more weight....but ask anyone here, many many knowledgable people all dealing with hep, if they have this problem or have ever heard of this being associated with hep c....i think i as well as many many others would be very surprised by this....okay....no more, i'm starting to obsess with you struggle now...good luck...AND PLEASE SEE A NEW SPECIALIST
k